Assessment of Al Ain Distribution Network Capacitor Banks and Power Factor Enhancement Study

Abstract

Enhancing capacitor banks' performance in Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC) network will lead to power factor and related network improvements. The aim of this study is to optimize the existing capacitor banks and obtain the maximum benefits by evaluating the capacitor banks' status & condition, controllers' settings, and analyzing their functionalities in conjunction with network assets based on real time measurements. The analysis was divided into two different approaches based on capacitor banks locations in AADC network, as the capacitor banks operation concept is totally different between the banks installed in primary substations (directly connected to 11kV busbars consisting of several stages) and the ones installed at 11kV overhead lines (OHL) of one stage and usually smaller in capacity size. In this paper, the classification is done based on network characteristic and banks' controller types as well as operational concept. AADC has more than 350 capacitor banks installed in primary substations and 11kV OHLs with approximately 930MVAR installed capacity providing high potential of reaching high power factor if operated and controlled well. The paper also explores the economic impact of the expected capacitor banks operation enhancement by saving energy and reducing power losses.